Adventure riding – Musings on a Monday

Mountain biking – Now you know me, I love an adventure,  but I have this little issue with heights, losing control and going too fast.  While I loooove looking at these sorts of videos I could never in a million years do this.

I realise this is an ad for something but I don’t really care or even know what it’s advertising (maybe a bike brand??) but I do love the whimsical nature of the ad, the scenery and the amazing skills of the rider (not to mention whoever shot this piece).

I’m part of a bike riding group in our little town and we are working hard towards being the first Rail Trail in NSW and we have our own small mountain bike ride in the historical Tumbarumba Police Paddock, so I thought I’d share this superb video.

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/mike-hopkins-dreamride-ii-photo-and-video-2017.html

It’s actually the second in this series of videos and the first video is almost as good. Here’s the link to no.1

https://www.pinkbike.com/news/dream-ride-the-release-diamond-back-video-2016.html

The Indian Pacific Wheel Race

There’s also a superb ride going on across Australia as we speak – The Indian Pacific Wheel race.  Have you heard of this one?  I must admit I hadn’t either but it sounds amazing!

This is the (inviting) brief on their Facebook page:

Who wants to race bikes across Australia?
Ocean to ocean.
Sealed roads.
No support.
Solo.
100 riders only.

Ummm…let me think about that for a moment – no that adventure is not for me!

The Indian Pacific Wheel Race is a solo, single-stage, unsupported, 5,500km road cycling race ocean-to-ocean across Australia. The course is 100% sealed. The race starts on 18 March 2017 at 6:00am in Fremantle, Western Australia and finishes at the Sydney Opera House whenever you get there. The clock does not stop. There is no prize money. Nothing is at stake except honour.

Apparently 75 riders set off from Perth in the early hours of Saturday morning 17/3/17, including an impressive contingent of international bike packing celebrities and some strong Australian contenders. In such a long, unsupported race, anything can happen.

I like the way they say:

This race is not for everyone. The race route plots out a serious adventure through remote sections of regional Australia, one which is dangerous and has serious risks for those unprepared. Those considering racing the Indian Pacific Wheel Race should consider whether they are ready to take on such a serious challenge in an unforgiving environment.

The event website has some great information about the race and the early history of Australian Overlanders – cyclists who completed crazy long rides across the continent as early as the 1890s.  You can even follow their progress each day by logging in to their site to  access their tracker.

I am definitely not an Overlander but I have huge respect for anyone who even considers this sort of thing.

Recently we enjoyed a much more sedate few days of cycling along the Otago Central Rail Trail in New Zealand’s South Island – that’s more my cup of tea!  This photo reminded us of the paddocks along the Tour de France and all the clever things people do.

Mondays are for musings and I hope you have enjoyed today’s offerings.  Thanks for coming along and let me know if you enjoyed the videos!

Deb 🙂

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